Noor Abid_2016-02-19

7.11.2 Water- Aquatic

7.11.2 Water- Aquatic zone exploration and development This zone takes up the northern part of the building and faces the Tamaki River. It mainly houses the aquatic activities, changing rooms, and the kids’ area. The zone, however, utilises the flowy and horizontal movements of water and reflects them onto floors, façade and roofing design. The roof, on the other hand, is cladded with ETFE membrane, in order to provide an outdoor like experience, as well as express the water theme, by mimicking its transparency and fluidity. Planning and spatial organization: The planning concept integrates 0.5m level changes within the pools’ zones, in order to reflect the sense of movement, as well as divide the space into: adult active, family active, and tranquil. These pools’ areas are connected by 2m wide ramp on its north side. The journey towards this zone begins when entering from the main private ramp (after exiting the changing area), landing into the adult active, passing by the family active, and ending by the tranquil area. It was concluded that having one entry that starts by the active zone will motivate most people to use the active pools before heading towards the tranquil ones. Active area, however, involves: 25m long x18m wide lap pool, 2x learning pools for adults and kids. Tranquil area, on the other hand, involves: 2x steam rooms, 3x sauna rooms, and 6x pools divided into: -3x ‘self-mindfulness’ pools with hot temperatures (36,40, and 42 D.C.) placed in the middle and surrounded by 2m high partition walls, in order to provide the solitude and relaxing environment. -3x ‘indulgence pools’, placed around the hot pools with views looking out to the Tamaki River, and they are: cold pool (14 D.C.), flower pool (33 D.C.), and herbal pool (33 D.C.). Figure 7.47 water zone schematic plan The tranquil zone planning was a response to Zumthor’s approach at the ‘Therme Vals’ in providing elements that help triggering the individual’s multiple senses. For instance; using mass walls around the pools in order to turn the sight sense off and let the other senses experience the space. These walls, however, follow a strategy where human body experience compression and expansion when moving amongst pools (selfmindfulness effect), another way of healing the self and delivering comfort. Also, having herbal and flower baths help triggering the sense of smell and create a memorable experience. 66

Critique: Horizontal movement within the water zone was approached by lifting the changing area and the pools’ levels up using concrete columns. However, spaces underneath were suggested to house water tanks and services. This approach has mainly prioritised views over function, as the pools’ north side contains high trees and an extensive amount of vegetation which tend to block the river views when building on the existing level. However, it was decided that this zone needs to be developed after realizing its contradiction with the Feng Shui and the Organic Architecture concepts which both suggest building of the hill and not on the hill; levels should be seen as integrated with the land rather than lifted above them. Hence, the levelling approach was adjusted at the later design stage. 67